In a Truth Social post, U.S. President Trump accused Democrats of trying to distract from what he called “their mishandling of government shutdowns”. He urged Attorney General Pam Bondi and DOJ, working with “patriotic FBI agents,” to examine Epstein’s relationships with influential figures, including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, J.P. Morgan Chase, and others.

Trump highlighted that these individuals had allegedly spent time on Epstein’s private island, emphasizing the need for a full review of what transpired.

Justice Department Action: Bondi and Clayton Take the Lead

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she would initiate the review, appointing Jay Clayton, the former Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney, to oversee the federal investigation. Bondi emphasized the process would be conducted with urgency and thoroughness, thanking the President publicly for the directive.

This move comes despite prior DOJ and FBI internal reviews earlier this year, which concluded that the existing evidence did not warrant opening a new prosecution. The decision has sparked debate over political influence in judicial affairs.

Previous Reviews and Controversy

Earlier in 2025, DOJ and FBI officials reviewed the Epstein case and found no evidence of a “client list” tying high-profile individuals to criminal activity. Epstein, who faced charges of sexually exploiting minors and running a prostitution network, died in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019, officially ruled a suicide.

Documents previously released included names such as Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Al Gore, Kevin Spacey, Michael Jackson, David Copperfield, Alan Dershowitz, and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Despite this, federal authorities found no prosecutable evidence against these individuals.